Meara is survived by her husband, actor Jerry Stiller. The two were married for 61 years. Early in their careers, the couple was an improv comedy team called "Stiller and Meara" and became regulars on The Ed Sullivan Show in the 1960s. The AP statement described Stiller as her "husband and life partner." Their daughter Amy Stiller is an actress as well.

Throughout her prolific career, Meara had wide array of roles in television and film. She received an Emmy nomination for the short-lived CBS series Kate McShane. A few of her more recognizable characters include recurring roles on The King of Queens and All My Children. She also played Steve's mother, Mary Brady, on Sex And The City. Other appearances include Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, The Love Boat, and ALF... The list goes on and on.